Creating Family Heirlooms with Platypod Ultra!

By Gilmar Smith

As a single mother of two it is important for me to find a balance between my work life and my family life. It is also important to me that my kids have an understanding of what I do for a living. I try to incorporate my kids in my photography as much as possible. They are usually involved in all of the processes, from going on Photoshoots with me, to helping me set up my gear, brainstorm ideas, and even to the extent of having my three years old girl sitting on my lap while I edit my work in Photoshop.

So, when I saw my two little ones having a blast sliding down the stairs with a mattress, I knew it was one of those fun moments you want to treasure forever. I quickly called for snack time, so I could set up my camera and a couple of lights really fast without disrupting their play area.

I placed a strobe with a reflector facing the ceiling, right on top of the stairs; and I put another one on a boom light stand on the bottom of the stairs, away from my kid's "landing area.”

My Platypod Max came in handy! I placed the camera on the bottom of the stairs to get the low angle I wanted. It didn't take any time to set up, and it didn't take any room at all; I knew my camera was supported and stable, and I didn't have to worry about the camera falling on my kids, or the kids getting tangled on the tripod's legs. They went up and down the stairs without even being bothered by the camera being placed there.

It was a lot of fun and refreshing to play like the old times, no wifi, video games, youtube, etc.
I was able to spend quality time with my kids while doing what I love and then, after editing the picture in Photoshop, when I showed it to them, their little eyes lighted up. I call that a win-win.

About the Author:

Gilmar Smith is an Orlando, Fl. based photographer that combines fantasy and reality in her portraitures. See more of her amazing work on her website.